A man found dead in a Lancaster city apartment Monday appears to be the victim of a homicide, police said.

Authorities were still working to identify the dead man Monday night.

Police found the body just before 11 a.m. in an apartment at 248 W. Walnut St. after they were called to the area to check on the welfare of a resident.

Lancaster County Deputy Coroners Jim Lingg and Eric Bieber responded to the scene.

Investigators said the death appeared to be suspicious. They said the man appeared to have been dead for "a period of time."

Lt. Todd Umstead declined to say if a weapon was found or if the victim had visible traumatic injuries.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday morning, according to Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni.

Detectives and other officials spent much of the day Monday at the scene, a three-story brick building on the south side of the street, just east of Mulberry Street.

Yellow caution tape spanned half the block, which was packed with police cruisers, a city police mobile forensic unit vehicle and a coroner's van.

Neighbors watched as police went in and out the building wearing face masks and protective footwear. They appeared to be working around a first-floor apartment.

Jorge Vanegas-Valencia, who lives across the street from the house, said he was headed to work when he saw the activity.

"I'm late for work but I was curious about what was going on," he said. "This is the most excitement we see around here. But I guess that's a good thing."

Vanegas-Valencia, who has lived in the block for 10 years, said he didn't know anyone who lived in the building.

North Pine Street resident Yvonne Williams said she often walks the block, on her way downtown. She said she often would see a man sitting on the porch of the building, smoking a cigarette.

Monday's crime scene is directly across from a home where a man was stabbed and beaten to death in October 1999.

Robert Enoch Jr., 51, was stabbed in the leg during what police said was a drug deal gone wrong.

Enoch walked outside and sat on his front step, bleeding from the wound. A neighbor fashioned a tourniquet until an ambulance arrived, but Enoch died at the hospital.

Three men were charged with his killing.

Police ask anyone with information about the body found Monday to contact them at 735-3300.

Tipsters also may call Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).

Tips also can be submitted at www.lancasterpolice.com. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

jtodd@lnpnews.com